Consider deadlock on civil rights in 1964, followed by no further U.S. involvement in Vietnam after 1965. Suppose the vice president had been forced from office well before the next election, triggering the selection of his replacement. And think about the first lady’s calculated next move after eight years in the White House.
Exactly fifty years since the assassination of President Kennedy, today marks not only a fitting remembrance of what was, but also a fascinating exploration of what might have been. Aiding in this rich intellectual journey, author Jeff Greenfield has done it again, presenting us with his newest and well-timed work of alternate history, “If Kennedy Lived.”
It all comes down to one meteorological circumstance which ultimately changes everything, from split-second reactions to long-term policy decisions and every ironic turn of fate along the way. All the while, readers are invited via Mr. Greenfield’s plausible scenarios to ponder one alternative evolution of 1960s history, including the momentum of the growing counterculture and the administration’s tactics to quell certain scandal. The ironies abound, including chuckle-inducing quotes from private citizen Richard Nixon and a young Al Gore, Jr., among numerous other key players who either emerge or disappear as alternate developments dictate.
Fifty years ago today the world changed in an instant. Imagine, at least for this quick yet captivating read, if that instant had produced a different result, well beyond the immediate events of November 22, 1963.
Tags: Alternate History, If JFK survived, JFK 50th anniversary, JFK alternate history, JFK Assassination, JFK reelected, LBJ resigns, November 22 1963
With the 50th anniversary upon us, all sorts of questions remain. New and old, sensible and outlandish, each is propelled by a keen and unyielding fascination surrounding the assassination of President John F. Kennedy.
Now feeding our collective, unsatisfied appetite is a captivating series of National Geographic documentaries once again dissecting the already-dissected moments of November 22, 1963, including JFK: The Lost Bullet, The Lost JFK Tapes and JFK: The Final Hours. Each of these productions turns out at least a few morsels of related and not-so-related facts that we might not have heard before but still find interesting. (I for one never knew eight-year-old actor-to-be Bill Paxton saw and photographed the president in Fort Worth that morning.)
Then we have the newest and much-promoted dramatization of Jack & Jackie Kennedy’s presidential life and final moments together, in NGC’s film adaptation of Bill O’Reilly’s novel Killing Kennedy. While the often-predictable Rob Lowe manages to pull off a decent portrayal of JFK, Ginnifer Goodwin’s re-creation of the first lady comes across– to me at least– as weak and unconvincing. (I’ve seen better “Jackies” over the years, thank you.) Altogether, the apparently common sentiment holds its ground, that this movie tells us nothing new, and definitely nothing outside the boundaries of the official yet increasingly disputed lone gunman theory.
Nevertheless, Killing Kennedy is worth watching for the sake of another welcome trip along that same old path of nostalgia that most Americans have traveled once, twice or 100 times over the past half century. The “newest” element to this so-called bland and unimaginative account comes in the powerful portrayal of Lee Harvey Oswald, played by the talented Will Rothhaar. In my initial opinion, he carries this film.
Watch and consider for yourself. Take in the sprinklings of history atop everything you no doubt already know. And watch the documentaries first, for this is where the real quenching of our fascination lies after all, even as all those questions– under whatever descriptor they fall– stack up faster than they might ever have answers.
Tags: JFK 50th anniversary, JFK Assassination, JFK documentaries, JFK questions, Killing Kennedy, Lee Harvey Oswald portrayal, National Geographic Channel, November 22 1963, Rob Lowe as JFK, Will Rothhaar
Since when has there been any issue with the term elegant? While the apt descriptor thrives in varying degrees, never have I sensed a negative connotation with its use. Alas, I was momentarily taken aback.
Times, styles and terms change, fortunately and unfortunately. Today, fondly recalling my satisfying visits to the debatably elegant “palace of kitsch” circa 2000, my curious anticipation of its pending reopening goes without saying. For the final selection of bowls, plates, glasses and flatware with which we are ultimately presented, coupled with the long-in-coming new logo, among all else, I’m counting on a respectable degree of that apparently frowned-upon “elegance” here– at least as much as today’s seemingly not-so-old-fashioned, dress-code-adverse New Yorkers will allow. Must “hip” come at the expense of “elegant,” after all?
In any event, the “new” Tavern on the Green will soon open its doors– hopefully in the right direction. I’m looking forward to the experience on my next NYC visit, loss of “kitsch” noted. My fingers are crossed.
Tags: Central Park, Elegant dining, Elegant vs. Hip, Kitsch, New York City, palace of kitsch, Tavern on the Green, The new Tavern on the Green
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When heading far enough north on I-55 out of New Orleans, you’ll inevitably encounter one historical– and perhaps more importantly, tasty– site that’s a must-stop. I speak of course of Middendorf’s, home of not just what’s been called “possibly the best fried fish in the world,” but also of what yours truly calls unique, delicious and downright worth the experience– the famous turtle soup! While this month marked my first visit to the spirited yet understated establishment, along with my first taste of such a well-known delicacy, at least now I can say it’s definitely not my last, of either. I have a feeling you’ll be saying the same.
Click for more photos.
Tags: best fried fish, I-55 stops, Middendorf's, Middendorf's turtle soup, New Orleans eating, turtle soup
For better or not-so-better, any moment in political history occurs just once, without a retake, yielding an indelible result. Still, it’s often fascinating to consider alternate outcomes– both immediate and long-term– especially with the help of a deeply insightful book on the subject.
Suppose President-elect John F. Kennedy had been killed before his inauguration, as truly came close to happening one December morning. Say the gunman in the Ambassador Hotel on that June night had been tackled before hitting his target, allowing Robert Kennedy’s presidential campaign to proceed. And even without an act of violence or death, consider how words alone could have gotten President Gerald Ford elected in his own right– and from there, who would have succeeded him.
Historians, academicians and philosophers often like to ponder the age-old question, “What if?” And for the rest of us who like to ask it as well, reporter/author Jeff Greenfield presents a captivating 400 pages to feed such an appetite, adding to numerous works of alternate history while showcasing an extensive and unique cast of characters. As fact launches into fiction, we the readers are invited to contemplate, through good and bad, how history might have been written. The entire “if, then” logic structure rings loudly, hypothetically enough. Let’s just say the film in my last post clearly would not have been made!
“Then Everything Changed” proves a fascinating and reflective read for anyone who appreciates how it really was, while craving a glimpse into how it could have occurred. “It” is far more than merely who holds office; the everyday media and social divergences are intertwined. I’m thrilled to have picked up this two-year-old book, in the end leaving me satisfied that some pieces of history happened as they did– while wishing others might have turned out differently. Ironically enough, some very memorable events that defined our reality still took place in Mr. Greenfield’s alternative scenario, just at different times among other players. Such compelling instances simply strike nerves with all the more impact on the reality vs. fantasy balance. And of course, in scenarios both real and imagined, Bugs Bunny always does beat Daffy Duck.
Ultimately, from tragedy, loss and failure to peace, victory and opportunity, with all that might have happened and the rest that never did, “Then Everything Changed” concludes with a final paragraph demonstrating the mark of a thoughtful and well-balanced author. That is, I laughed out loud. I bet you will too!
Tags: 1980 presidential election, Alternate History, Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck, Gary Hart presidency, Gerald Ford, Jeff Greenfield, Jeff Greenfield book review, John F. Kennedy, Lyndon Johnson, RFK Presidency, Richard Nixon, Robert F. Kennedy, Ted Kennedy for president, Then Everything Changed
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“The Nixon presidency is endlessly fascinating, and his taped conversations, even now, are shocking, revealing and addictive.” (7/31/13)
Two out of three’s not bad, so I contemplated in reaction to these words in The New York Times.
The “new” audio-visual elements are indeed revealing, launching any interested viewer onto a potentially addictive historical journey. Shocking, no. Still, despite its expected and obvious editorial slant coupled with some peculiar musical selections, “Our Nixon” is well worth the watch.
Then, what Ben Stein has to say seems well worth the read. After all, there’s of course more than one viewpoint to consider along the journey, whatever descriptive terms one might employ.
Tags: Ben Stein, CNN Films, Nixon editorializing, opinions on President Nixon, Our Nixon, Our Nixon criticism, Our Nixon review, The New York Times Richard Nixon
A Recommended Read
Through his humble and straightforward narrative style, I can hear her breathy voice calling his name, be it in amusement, annoyance, or a unique combination of the two. The deeply personal recounting of so many private yet fascinating moments yields a refreshing portrait of a woman subjected to so many portraits– in this case one without drama, sensation or agenda. Clint Hill takes us, his readers, on a one-on-one historical journey that only he can tell. And though “that day” came more than a decade before my birth, his frank and detailed words drew me in close enough to feel as if I were right there alongside him on November 22, 1963.
For all that’s been written about First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy over the past half century, only the U.S. Secret Service Agent assigned to her detail holds the otherwise unrecorded memories to write as he does. And Mr. Hill writes well in “Mrs. Kennedy and Me,” despite a few cases of grammatical usage that his proofreader apparently missed. She returns to life throughout these pages as calculating yet reasonable, demanding yet understanding, mischievous yet respectful– and the descriptors can easily go on. As her voice speaks through the pages, above all else I imagine her picking up a copy from beyond, glancing at it with a stunned yet captivated expression, and in disbelief that yet another entire book has been written about her, immediately calling out, “Oh, Mr. Hill…”
Tags: "Mrs. Kennedy and Me", Agent Clint Hill and Mrs. Kennedy, Clint Hill, First Lady Jackie Kennedy, Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, JFK Assassination, November 22 1963, U.S. Secret Service
“Just as the public tends to view presidents more kindly once they’ve left office, ex-presidents, too, tend to soften their judgments – or at least their public comments – with time.” (Huffington Post, 25 April 2013)
Softened or not, I always appreciate the rare occasion on which to view all living former U.S. presidents, among the current, in the same eyeshot. Today’s gathering reminds me of another classic below from 1994, except in the present case no death was involved. Naturally, some change with time more than others.
Tags: all living presidents gathered, all presidents at Nixon's funeral, former living presidents, George W Bush library dedication
When one of these stunning-yet-sadly forgotten machines crosses the path of any classic car aficionado– seldom as it will be– heads will turn. So indeed turned my head upon my own rare sighting of one underrated masterpiece that deserved such a longer life. At least one left-hand-drive Jaguar XJ6C still lives!
Tags: 1970s Jaguars, Jaguar coupes, Jaguar XJ6C, rare classic cars
What a telling difference the past two decades– rapid in hindsight as they seem– have made on the fundamental social landscape of New York City. While distinctly recalling my stroll around Midtown Manhattan on the day of President Clinton’s first inauguration, I must now remind myself that 20 years have since passed. Really, 20? There was not a Starbucks to be found, yet somehow we survived. Has the year 1993 really become synonymous with a bygone era, when we stopped to use a pay phone? I’ve often pointed out that those born in 1974 are about the last to have entered adulthood without today’s taken-for-granted “conveniences.” From 1993 onward the changes quickly yet somehow seamlessly rerouted our lives, which the current exhibition aptly illustrates. Said for ages I say once more: It seems like only yesterday.
Tags: 1993 exhibition, 1993 vs. 2013, life in 1993, Manhattan 1993, NYC 1993
It’s true once more. As I’ve noted time and again, old school never fails. A visit to the above-pictured historical establishment is highly recommended anytime you happen to find yourself hungry and thirsty– healthy yet not necessarily obese wallet in tow– in the Union Square vicinity of San Francisco. Anytime, this is to say, except perhaps a Saturday night in December when getting the lone bartender’s attention may present a challenge during the extended table wait. Nevertheless, if you’re already guessing the “old school” menu feature that for me of course is a must, then along with a heaping side of history you might enjoy it as well!
Tags: historical SF restaurants, John's Grill, John's Grill SF, San Francisco historical bars
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In the immediate aftermath of the 2012 presidential election, how the Electoral College has changed over the past decade, and how it has not, remains a complex yet interesting study. Click here to examine Politico’s 2012 interactive results map, breaking down the red and blue landscape across every state and county. To borrow the line yet again, “the more things change, the more they remain the same.”
Tags: 2000 Electoral Map, 2004 Electoral Map, 2008 Electoral Map, 2012 Presidential Election Map, Electoral College, Electoral College Map, red states blue states
On this eve of former President Jimmy Carter’s 88th birthday, a bit of perhaps overlooked presidential trivia is in order. Earlier this month, on September 6 to be exact, Carter broke the record for living the longest post-presidential life. This is not to be confused with the U.S. president who lived the longest life, but rather he who has lived the most time since leaving office. Until this September, the record was held by our 31st president, Herbert Hoover, who left office in 1933 and died in 1964. Now turning another year older but whether living or not, President Carter will hold this quiet distinction for at least the next 20 years!
Former President Jimmy Carter turns 88 on October 1, 2012.
Tags: President Carter post-presidential life record, President Carter turns 88, President Jimmy Carter
Of all the timeless and elegant automotive creations I admire– and aspire to own– this uncomplicated ’80s classic remains at the top of my list. There’s nothing quite like a well-maintained factory original to command my attention, in red of course. Recalling my prize sighting two years ago, a 560 SL is still the one in my book!
Tags: 560 SL, classic Mercedes-Benz cars, Mercedes 560 SL, red 560 SL
I know. I miss him too. And what a wonderful trip back in time it was, almost as if we were watching one of his State of the Union addresses, seeing him once again in his element where he always shines at his best. Love him or less-than-love him, align yourself with his party or not, agree with his policies and principles or beg to differ, you’ll be hard-pressed to argue this tried and simple fact: There’s only one Bill Clinton.
His charisma, magnetism and power of persuasion– woven with his undisputable intellect— remain unmatched. He speaks, and continues to speak, for a relatively long stretch of time. But we know this. It’s Bill, after all. His presentation last night at the Democratic National Convention was no deviation from his expected and accepted style and use of time. President Clinton was back– if but for one night, for now at least— stronger, more commanding and even funnier than ever. Only he, the master orator, can do what he does the way he does it, even better after 20 years. This is precisely what you have to love– if not love– about #42.
Tags: Bill Clinton convention speech, Bill Clinton DNC speech, Bill Clinton power of persuasion, President Clinton's speech
“One of a Kind.”
“A Tasty Classic.”
“An Institution.”
What can I possibly say now that hasn’t been expressed once, twice or 5000 times over the past 163 years? For all the positive reviews out there of “San Francisco’s oldest restaurant,” both my discerning eye and satisfied palate heartily concur.
The bread, butter and water are already on the counter as you sit down. While images of bygone times decorate the walls as history permeates the air, one very thorough yet no-frills menu awaits. Tadich Grill remains the unmatched place to savor a real meal while enjoying a unique journey through time. Despite today’s higher-than-1930 prices, portions remain more than generous as service proves extremely efficient. After this long it’s safe to say the entire staff has procedure and routine down to a science.
Time and again the rave reviews have poured in, a book awaits your purchase, and a brief yet informative history synopsis covers the daily printed menus. As the establishment’s website proclaims: “The Tadich Grill experience is like no other.” To this, upon my much-anticipated second visit and repeat enjoyment of the best liver-and-onions in town, I happily add my own accolade: Old school never fails!
Tags: San Francisco dining, Tadich Grill, Tadich Grill review, Tadich Grill San Francisco
Taking the positive with the negative– from a time of celebratory self-expression to a massive and exhausting crowd worth avoiding altogether– another San Francisco Pride weekend has come and gone. As the city now thankfully returns to “normal”– of course a relative term around here– the history behind this longstanding annual event is not far from my mind. Despite a seemingly endless street mess among various unruly elements scattered about, all in all it’s good to remember the fortunate reality that each of us has the right to our own Pride, however it might, or might not, be expressed.
Tags: SF Pride, SF Pride crowd, SF Pride history
In light of one refreshingly frank rhetorical question from President Lyndon Johnson almost 50 years ago, President Obama might very well be asking himself the same thing today. Considering Mr. Obama’s now-clarified support of same-sex marriage, it seems a very solid question on which to base his announcement.
In addition to the expected widespread liberal praise, agreement with the president’s viewpoint is coming even from conservative sources. Former Bush Solicitor General Ted Olson, who more than two years ago wrote the conservative case for gay marriage, wasted no time yesterday in reminding us Mr. Obama has it right. In fact, Mr. Olson goes on to articulate precisely the argument that too often seems to be forgotten:
“How many citizens would have voted to continue separate-but-equal schools, if you’d put that to a vote in 1954? In fact, in 1967, there were 14 states that prohibited interracial marriages, indeed made interracial marriages a felony, and the Supreme Court struck down those laws unanimously in 1967.” (Avlon, DB 5/9/12)
It’s been said before and will be said again: Civil rights, for any group at any time, need not be put to a popular vote. Why gay marriage continues to be left to “the will of the people” certainly baffles many of us. Nevertheless, President Obama has now placed himself in the position of initiating some real and permanent change on this matter, while perhaps drawing on the experience of LBJ. After all, the question that rang true in 1963 should certainly carry its weight in most any circumstance.
Regardless of what comes next, at least Mr. Obama is no longer “evolving.” And in spite of all the tension, argument and debate, we always need a good chuckle!
Tags: "What the hell's the presidency for?", gay marriage support, LBJ civil rights, Obama gay marriage, Ted Olson gay marriage, Texts from Hillary
1967
2012
Some designs in the automotive world never change, nor should they. As we now approach the 50th anniversary of a beloved icon that debuted in 1963, and throughout this past half-century of remarkable technological advancement, the basic shape remains largely untouched and refreshingly unmistakable.
In other words, a Porsche 911 is and seemingly always will be, well, a Porsche 911. Having recently enjoyed my first roadside spotting of 911’s newest incarnation– the seventh-generation 991— among all else, the longer, flatter tail lights immediately flagged a striking resemblance to its oldest predecessors. Before delving further into the features of this amazingly advanced machine, I was already both impressed and nostalgic.
Ferdinand Alexander Porsche clearly made an indelible mark on the auto industry, while living long enough to see this latest version of his half-century-old creation. May he now rest in peace. And may all future 911 generations continue to respect and preserve Mr. Porsche’s original, one-of-a-kind design.
Tags: Ferdinand Alexander Porsche, Porsche 911, Porsche 991, seventh-generation 911
March 28:
37 – Roman Emperor Caligula accepts the titles of the Principate, entitled to him by the Senate.
845 – Paris is sacked by Viking raiders, probably under Ragnar Lodbrok, who collects a huge ransom in exchange for leaving.
1738 – English parliament declares war on Spain (War of Jenkin’s Ear)
1774 – Britain passes Coercive Act against Massachusetts
1776 – Juan Bautista de Anza finds the site for the Presidio of San Francisco
1794 – Louvre opens to the public
1799 – NY State abolished slavery
1845 – Mexico drops diplomatic relations with US
1866 – First ambulance goes into service
1881 – Greatest Show On Earth was formed by PT Barnum & James A Bailey
1885 – US Salvation Army officially organized
1910 – First seaplane, takes off from water at Martinques France (Henri Fabre)
1920 – Actor Douglas Fairbanks marries actress Mary Pickford
1933 – German Reichstag confers dictatorial powers on Hitler
1939 – Spanish Civil War ends, Madrid falls to Francisco Franco
1944 – Astrid Lindgren sprains ankle & begins writing Pippi Longstocking
1945 – Last German V-2 (buzz bomb) attack on London
1959 – China dissolves Tibet’s government
1960 – Pope John raises the first Japanese, first African & first Filipino cardinal
1974 – Ryan R. Sanderson is born
2012- A delicious and delightful lunch is enjoyed at the newly remodeled Hotel Bel Air, featuring steak tartar and sashimi salad, to celebrate Ryan’s 38th birthday. Ryan rests very satisfied with the occasion and recommends the dining destination to all.
The healthy, relatively light and very well-presented sashimi salad is a must!
Tags: Hotel Bel Air, March 28 birthday, March 28 in history, sashimi salad
“The Ides of March are come.”
“Ay, Caesar, but not gone.”
This ominous historical date has acquired a superstitious aura, akin to Friday the 13th.
The Ides of March marks the day of Julius Caesar’s assassination in 44 B.C., while coming to be known as a day to “beware.”
On the other hand, this line sums it up well: “But bad things happen every day– we just notice them more on days of heightened superstition.” (Judkis, WP Style Blog) In this case, fear not!
Tags: Beware the Ides of March, Ides of March, Julius Caesar
Exactly fifty years since the assassination of President Kennedy, today marks not only a fitting remembrance of what was, but also a fascinating exploration of what might have been. Aiding in this rich intellectual journey, author Jeff Greenfield has done it again, presenting us with his newest and well-timed work of alternate history, “If Kennedy Lived.”
Here’s to her impressive 60 years as monarch, though of course not 
Ryan R. Sanderson 